Rumour Mill: Mike Ashley faces Rangers probe | Lawwell denies signing players

Mike Ashley's Rangers deal is to be probed by the Football League. Picture: PA

Spanish side unveil shocker of a kit

SPANISH side Deportivo Palencia have unveiled their new kit, which seems to have taken the phrase ‘playing out of their skins’ a bit too literally.

Mike Ashley faces Rangers probe

SPORTS Direct chief Mike Ashley could be forced to end his contract with Rangers as a result of Newcastle’s relegation from the English Premier League.

The Football League is reportedly set to launch a probe into Ashley’s connections with the Ibrox side, in order to work out if he is breaching rules concerning dual interests.

Should Ashley be found to have infringed any rules, league bosses could kick Newcastle out of the league. (Daily Record)

Lawwell: I had nothing to do with signings

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell has hit out at claim he is the Parkhead’s side de facto director of football, with a new manager expected in the next two weeks.

Lawwell has been accused of being behind certain signings made during Ronny Deila’s tenure.

But Lawwell said: “It is absolute rubbish. I have no input into players beyond conducting the financial aspect of transfers. The scouts provide reports and the manager picks the players within that process. It is total nonsense to say it’s any other way here. Simply not true.” (The Scotsman)

Hibs eye Cammy Bell

HIBS have been linked with a move for Rangers ‘keeper Cammy Bell. The club has brought in Conrad Logan and Otso Virtanen this season while Antonio Reguero was released and youngster Sean Brennan not offered a new contract.

However, Hibs could face competition from Bell’s former side Kilmarnock as well as Bristol City. (Various)

Deila: Celtic job cost me privacy

RONNY Deila has admitted he will be leaving Celtic with a heavy heart, but is looking forward to regaining some of his privacy.

He said: “It doesn’t matter where you go, the supermarket, the gas station, everywhere – people think they own you.

“There are hundreds of photos every day. I never said ‘no’ once but it is hard when you are living your life like that 24-7. I must admit with every month that has passed I have been more and more staying in the house. I lost my freedom.” (Daily Record)

Perth Saints eye Paton move

ST Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has confirmed that the club has made an approach for Dundee United midfielder Paul Paton.

The Northern Irish international is contracted to United for another season, but the newly-relegated club is understood to be open to letting him leave if he wishes to. (The Courier)

Stubbs rejects Houston’s penalty argument

HIBS head coach Alan Stubbs has dismissed Falkirk manager Peter Houston’s assertion that penalty decisions even out over a season.

Stubbs hopes referee Alan Muir’s decision not to award Hibs a penalty after David McCracken’s handball does not have a bearing on the final outcome.

“It’s not as easy as that unfortunately,” added Stubbs, with reference to Houston’s belief that injustices are evened out. “I think people say it but try telling that to a manager who’s not had them given to him.” (The Scotsman)

McKinnon to restore United pride

NEW Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has confessed that he followed his heart in taking the hot seat at the club where he played over 120 games as a player.

McKinnon said: “I am looking forward to taking on the task of rebuilding the club and developing the talent required to get us where we should be.

“We will work hard to build a team that the United fans can be proud of.” (Scottish Sun)

Stokes: I want to go up and return to Celtic

ANTHONY Stokes has revealed he is desperate to make an impact in Hibernian’s remaining games this season to impress Celtic’s new boss - whoever that might be.

Stokes believes helping Hibs back to the Premiership, and securing an historic Scottish Cup win over Rangers would give the new Hoops manager something to think about. (The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Murray Davidson and Steven Anderson have both agreed to stay on at St Johnstone until 2018

• Aberdeen legends Denis Law, Mark McGhee and Gordon Strachan are among a host of ex-players to back the Dons’ plans for a new £40m stadium and training centre, which is planned for the west of the city in the Kingsford area

• Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata has been named in Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad despite picking up a hamstring injury during the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Rangers

• Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has told Celtic skipper Scott Brown he can have the summer off international duty so that he can recover from the tendonitis in both his hamstrings

• Dundee United were forced to unveil their new kit at a different venue after learning of a planned fans’ protest following their relegation

Rumour Mill: Mike Ashley faces Rangers probe | Lawwell denies signing players | Hibs eye Cammy Bell